Age is no problem for Longo Borghini, who dreams of Tour de France Femmes victory more than ever

After five days of the Tour de France Femmes, Elisa Longo Borghini’s chances of a podium finish seemed to have vanished, but thanks to three thrilling final days, the Italian rider from UAE Team L’Imad turned the tide. A third-place finish in Nice was, in a sense, the crowning achievement, but it has left her wanting more. The Italian champion wants to return to compete for the yellow jersey.

Longo Borghini had quite a crazy year, with a difficult spring due to illness, followed by a disappointing Giro d'Italia—which did, however, end with a stage victory. The Tour de Suisse also didn't go according to plan. Third place in the Tour de France Femmes is therefore a huge relief for the Italian.

"I missed a month this spring due to bronchitis," she explains to La Gazzetta. “And I spent a lot of time playing catch-up. Like in the Giro d’Italia for women, which went well—I finished fourth overall and won a stage—but not great. I was chasing a lot in this Tour, too, but at some point, the pieces of the puzzle started to fit together better.”

All that stress came pouring out during the Tour. The nights during the race were really tough. “I’d wake up and think about it—the details, what had gone wrong, the fact that things could have turned out much worse tomorrow. Even withdrawing from the Tour and quitting cycling altogether. But that’s an exaggeration, of course. I think everyone has a strange thought or two at night.”

Longo Borghini overcame all her fears and all the problems she faced in the spring and was the strongest rider behind winner Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma. Those two were truly in a league of their own. But despite the significant gap, the 34-year-old Italian dreams of winning the overall title in 2027. That will be a major goal. “Given the problems and setbacks I’ve had… I don’t think the gap is that big.”

So, after the 2026 cycling season, the focus will quickly shift to the 2027 Tour de France Femmes, where she will most likely have to face defending champion Vollering. “But for now, I’m focusing on the World Championships, where Demi will always be the woman to beat. I want to be ready for Saturday, September 26, in Montreal.”

Longo Borghini is now 34 and has been a pro since 2011. After more than 15 seasons and 62 victories, retirement is drawing closer, but she’s not thinking about quitting just yet. She does know, however, that she’ll always be a team leader. “The goal is to retire while I’m still at the top of my game. I hope to do so as late as possible, given how much I still enjoy cycling.”